Petro suspended his scheduled visits to the Eje Cafetero for security reasons, after receiving information of a possible attempt on his life. | Photo: Canal1 News​​​

Bogota, May 15 (RHC)-- Representatives of the center-left coalition Pacto Histórico asked a continental humanitarian organization for protection for their two candidates, Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez, in view of the increasing threats against their aspirants to the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of Colombia.  

With less than three weeks to go before the presidential elections in Colombia, members of the alliance considered that the lives of their candidates are in danger.

The request comes after a report by the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) assured that violence in these elections will be double that recorded in the 2018 elections.

In Colombia, the MOE warns that the pre-election period of 2022, is the most violent in the last 12 years, aggressions against leaderships increased by 109%.}  In their exhortation to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), they indicated: "We request that you demand that the Colombian State urgently proceed with the investigation, prosecution and punishment of those materially and intellectually responsible for the threats against the candidates Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez (...).

The signatories warned about the repeated threats that both candidates have received in the context of the electoral contest and which, at first, were dismissed by some government officials.

In the communication they regretted that "no immediate measures have been taken to investigate these facts."  And they also took the opportunity to demand a call for attention to President Iván Duque and General Eduardo Zapateiro, commander of the National Army, for alleged interference in politics. 

They also requested to consider the granting of precautionary measures in favor of Márquez and a study to determine whether it is necessary to strengthen Petro's protection.